Annapolis, MD — The Maryland Chamber Foundation is proud to announce the launch of its 2023 Teacher Externship Program, a unique workforce development program that pairs public high school educators with leading businesses from across the state, equipping them with invaluable experiences and insights to prepare their students for in-demand careers and industries.
Now in its fifth year, the 2023 Teacher Externship program will kick off in July, when 23 high school educators will spend four weeks immersed in the workplaces of one of 14 distinguished Maryland companies. Throughout the program, educators will gain firsthand knowledge of various career pathways, in-demand skills, and the variety of job opportunities that await their students as they prepare to enter the workforce.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our participating host companies, including businesses and unions representing trades and industries such as biopharma, healthcare, manufacturing, construction, electrical contracting, and mechanical contracting. We are grateful to the following 2023 host companies for their dedication to equipping the future workforce for success:
- AstraZeneca
- DAP, Inc.
- Freestate Electrical
- Harris Co.
- Hazel & Buehler
- The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT)
- Baltimore Electrical JATC-24
- Kaiser Permanente
- KCI Technologies
- Rosendin
- UnitedHealthcare
- W.E. Bowers
- W.L. Gary in partnership with CRW Mechanical
- The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Since its inception, the Teacher Externship program has witnessed remarkable growth. Upon completion of this year’s externship, the program will have connected 76 educators with Maryland’s job creators, providing them with a deep understanding of the skills and knowledge required by employers.
As companies across the state and nation continue to address the challenges of attracting, hiring and retaining skilled workers, the Maryland Chamber Foundation is proud to continue offering and building upon this important program. By empowering educators and fostering connections with the business community, we are shaping a brighter future for Maryland’s workforce.
“Harris is excited to host two high school educators this summer as part of the Maryland Chamber Foundation’s Teacher Externship program, said Dan Nygaard, EVP + Regional Manager, Operations, Harris. “This program offers a unique professional development experience that will create interest in our industry for the next generation. There’s tremendous opportunity in the trades and incredible value in connecting the classroom to the workplace. The guest teachers will gain relevant real-world information to incorporate into their curriculum including trends in mechanical contracting, skill requirements and industry opportunities. As a potential future employer, we’re grateful for the chance to be in front of these students. What better endorsement for our industry and organization than having a teacher explore “a day in the life” at Harris and actively engage with our team over the summer and then bring that energy to individuals exploring future careers.”
“The Maryland Chamber Foundation’s Teacher Externship Program builds a bridge between education and industry, providing educators with invaluable experiences to prepare students for in-demand careers,” said Whitney Harmel, Executive Director of the Maryland Chamber Foundation and Executive Vice President of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. “We greatly appreciate the 14 host companies and 23 educators for their dedication to equipping the future workforce. Together, we are helping to create a pipeline of talent that will drive Maryland’s economic growth.”
Learn more about the Teacher Externship Program here.
Meet the 2023 Teacher Externs here.
About the Maryland Chamber Foundation
Established in 1987, the Maryland Chamber Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that focuses on the research and educational objectives of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. The Foundation supports research on issues important to businesses, including analyses of the Maryland economy and business climate. This research drives solutions in education, talent pipeline, and workforce development. With the goal of improving the connection between business, education and all Marylanders, the Maryland Chamber Foundation focuses on building partnerships to leverage and enhance existing programs. Learn more at mdchamber.org/foundation.
